|
New environmental resource centre launched at CPUT
By Marion Davids, CPUT
“There is hope if we empower people” – these were the memorable words of the Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi at the launch of the new Environmental Resource Centre (ERC) at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Launched on 2 August, the ERC aims to raise environmental awareness and to contribute to a community of practice of understanding and to send out to the world environmental professionals that will have the requisite skills to address the 21st century development challenges.
[ find out more ]
Earthnotes, a film festival in a box
A “film festival in a box”, Earthnotes started in Cape Town and is now travelling from town to town along the west coast. The worrying state of our fish stocks, society’s dependency on fossil fuels, water as a scarce resource, our region’s wetlands and marine ecosystems, innovative solutions for overpopulated cities… these are some of the issues highlighted in a range of environmental documentaries, both local and international, presented by DLIST. In Cape Town, where the Earthnotes box was first opened, some of the documentaries raised lively discussion in Q&A sessions organised after the screenings, sometimes bringing inspiration for action.
[ find out more ]
Taking lessons about international waters home
By Kehiyomuti Asser Katunahange, Walvis Bay Municipality
The GEF Fourth Biennial International Waters Conference took place in Cape Town from 31 July to 3 August 2007 to look at project achievements and lessons learned in GEF’s International Waters portfolio. Asser Katunahange, from the Municipality of Walvis Bay, tells us about his impressions of the conference and the lessons he will take home—and put to good use in his efforts to facilitate information dissemination to coastal communities.
[ find out more ]
|
 |
Have we lost our traditional wisdom?
By Melusile Ndlovu
Recently, an interesting topic of discussion with the subject “What happened to the Knowledge?” received a lot of attention on the DLIST Discussion Forum. From “local knowledge” to “folk knowledge” and “information base for a society”, “traditional wisdom” or “traditional science”, there is no clear definition of indigenous knowledge. It seems consensual, however, that this knowledge is not being transferred between people and through generations—and thus not being applied to improve livelihoods and maintain a healthy link with the surrounding environment.
[ find out more ]
Artisanal fishery in Henties Bay
By Martin Tjipute and Fabian Mubiana, Henties Bay Research Centre
In Namibia the majority of people in the coastal towns of Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Henties Bay and Lüderitz make a living purely on fishing. Artisanal fishery in Henties Bay, where the unemployment rate is as high as 75%, is quite unique. The local fishermen obtain recreational rock and surf angling licenses to fish as a means of providing food and earning a small income by illegally selling their excess catch. In 2003, a formal fishing association, Hanganeni, was formed. Daily catches are usually sold to restaurants, hotels and individual buyers, with 60% of the income going towards members’ remuneration and the remaining 40% towards the association’s running costs. However, dwindling fish stocks along the Benguela coastline have resulted in reduced and unpredictable catches, hampering the sustainability of Hanganeni.
[ find out more ]
DLIST node moderators meet in Cape Town
By Isabel Nosipho, Port Nolloth DLIST Node
On the 30th of July 2007, DLIST moderators from Port Nolloth, Cape Town, Lüderitz, Walvis Bay and Henties Bay gathered in Cape Town to meet each other, gain a better understanding of DLIST and discuss node activity plans. Many ideas came up to improve DLIST’s outreach, such as putting some of the discussions on notice boards, being visible at events, getting involved with existing forums and even starting Ecoclubs.
[ find out more ]
|
Agostinho Duarte
